Waterproof Connector Cover Locking Mechanism for Vibration Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof connectors require cumbersome operations for assembling, particularly in inserting wires, which limits efficiency and can lead to accidental unlocking due to vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof connector design featuring a housing with a rubber plug accommodating portion, a cover with a wire insertion opening formed by cutting a circumferential part, and locking mechanisms that allow for stable attachment and secure sealing, enabling wire insertion after terminal fitting installation and allowing assembly at any stage, with features like inclined surfaces for smooth wire insertion and resilient flange for secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing portion is held in the connector housing via a locking mechanism, then the rubber plug is securely restrained, but the assembling operation becomes cumbersome and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion is extracted from the housing body and integrated into the cover assembly. The cover includes a pressing portion holding portion that engages with the pressing portion, allowing the cover to simultaneously perform both protective and restraining functions. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms while maintaining security and simplifying assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wire insertion hole is designed to receive wires of different diameters, then adaptability is improved, but the precision of wire insertion may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wire insertion hole features a tapered structure with a large-diameter opening end and a small-diameter bottom end. This local quality variation allows the hole to accommodate wires of different diameters at the opening while maintaining precise positioning at the bottom, where the wire tip is guided into the terminal fitting. The tapered geometry provides both adaptability and precision simultaneously.
3Reliability
If the cover locks are designed to lock to housing locks, then the cover is securely held, but vibration forces may cause inadvertent unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The cover locks include resilient portions that are pre-biased to maintain continuous contact with the housing locks. This preliminary anti-action counteracts vibration forces by providing a restoring force that prevents the cover locks from disengaging from the housing locks under vibrational stress, thereby maintaining locking stability without compromising security.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the rubber plug is held in close contact with the wire, then waterproof sealing is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber plug is integrated with the cover assembly through the rubber plug holding portion. The cover and rubber plug are positioned and secured together as a unified assembly, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations. This merging maintains the waterproof sealing function while reducing assembly complexity by treating the rubber plug and cover as a single integrated unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A housing (10) includes a terminal accommodating portion (18) capable of accommodating a terminal fitting (80), a rubber plug accommodating portion (19) communicating with the terminal accommodating portion (18) and capable of accommodating a rubber plug (70), and two housing locks (23) on both sides across the rubber plug accommodating portion (19). Escape of the rubber plug (70) from the rubber plug accommodating portion (19) is restricted by a cover (40) including a wire insertion hole (43). The cover (40) includes two cover locks (46) lockable to the housing locks (23) and a wire insertion opening (44) located between the cover locks (46) and formed by cutting a circumferential part from an outer peripheral surface to the wire insertion hole (43).